Round six of the Gallagher Premiership promises to deliver another thrilling weekend of action, with teams looking to solidify their positions ahead of a break before the Test rugby returns in November.
Beno Obano will make his 150th appearance for Bath against Sale Sharks at The Rec this Saturday, while Will Muir is fit again to take his place on the wing after missing the last three games because of a knee injury.
With England versus New Zealand on the November 2 horizon and Steve Borthwick poised to name his Test squad on Wednesday for the four-game Autum Nations Series, a number of leading candidates have been pencilled in for some timely club action.
Bath’s first defeat of the season came after a dominant first-half display from a Bristol side inspired by flanker Santiago Grondona.
There are just four weeks to go before the All Blacks arrive at Allianz Stadium on November 2, so players will be vying to impress.
Former Leinster and Ireland second row Ross Molony is set to make his Bath debut in a pre-season clash against a familiar foe.
It was last December when Johann van Graan lost out to the Irish province in the race to sign Springboks forward RG Snyman, who decided to join Leinster from Munster for the 2024/25 season.
Bath won’t be left empty-handed by Leinster’s recent signing of RG Snyman as they are reportedly poised to snap up Ross Molony on a three-year deal from next summer.
Ireland have confirmed that second rows James Ryan and Ryan Baird will play no further part in this year's Guinness Six Nations.
Leinster have rung 13 changes to their starting XV after last weekend's loss, but retention of Johnny Sexton means a new role for Ross Byrne.
